Korean J Adult Nurs.  2022 Feb;34(1):97-108. 10.7475/kjan.2022.34.1.97.

Factors Associated with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Infections in Hematologic Cancer Patients in Korea: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

• Kim J
• Choi JY

• KMID: 2526699
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2022.34.1.97

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for nosocomial Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections in patients with hematologic cancer in Korea.
Methods
A total of 232 patients (77 in the case group and 155 in the control group) from a tertiary teaching hospital participated in this study from January 2011 to December 2017. Data concerning the disease, treatment, and nursing care were collected from electronic medical records using the coding form.
Results
VRE infections were found to be associated with leukemic-type cancer, longer hospital stays, high-risk antibiotic use, low-risk antibiotic use, oral antifungal agent use within one month of admission, lower serum albumin levels, and dependent self-care.
Conclusion
The implication of this study’s results is that VRE infections are associated with factors other than VRE colonization, which is known to be the main influencing factor. Considering these factors, it is crucial to develop programs for VRE prevention and management. In particular, oncology nurses should adhere to precaution guidelines when they have contact with patients who are undergoing a prolonged hospital stay, are having difficulties with self-care activities, or are more likely to have depressed immunity because of intensive chemotherapy and nutritional deficiency. Tools to screen risk factors for VRE infections and programs to encourage nurses’ adherence to guidelines need to be evaluated and provided continuously.

Keyword

Hematologic neoplasm; Nosocomial infection; Vancomycin-resistant enterococci